A Look At Teela From Mattel

This weekend at Wizard World, the Four Horsemen had the Master of the Universe Teela figure on display.

The Four Horseman, Cornboy, was nice enough to let me take some pics of it.








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Rudy's Realm: Action Comics Annual #12 (DC Comics)

In the past, Action Comics annuals have been the place writers offer story fodder or had given into editorial gimmicks (Superman as an ape, Superman meets ethnic heroes which are never seen again etc.) but Greg Rucka used this issue as an opportunity to not only showcase the origin of the new Flamebird and Nightwing team but tell the story of two people in love.




Thara Ak-Var has known tragedy. When Brainiac's invasion of Kandor, Krypton's capital city, happens both of Thara's Military Guild parents are led into battle by their commander Ursa-Zod only to be slaughtered before their daughter's eyes as their commander flees in terror. Orphaned but not hopeless Thara is placed into the Military Guild with the faith that one day she can succeed where her parents failed and give Kandor its freedom. When Argo City, a city that was blasted free when Krypton exploded, is captured by Brainiac and integrated into Kandor Thara is reunited with Alura Zor-El and her husband, the parents of her childhood friend Kara Zor-El who had been rocketed to Earth like her cousin Kal-El, easing the burden of loss from each of their shoulders.

Lor-Zod, the boy who would one day become Christopher Kent, knows pain. Conceived and born in the prison of Fort Roz in the living death of the Phantom Zone to Geral and Ursa-Zod, Lor is unique in the way of being raised around cruelty and insanity yet when it fell to him to prevent the inmates from escaping he was willing to pay that price for a world he barely knew. Abandoned back in the Zone he finds his way to the fort and General Zod's stockade of Brainiac technology and data. When Lor takes one of Brainiac's headpieces to himself he awakens his connection to the entity of Nightwing as Flamebird burns within Thara's being at that same moment. When that moment subsides, Lor is shackled by his parents for the inmates to torture as they please while Thara knowing the man whom she shares this connection to is trapped in the Phantom Zone has only his rescue in mind. Thara Ak-Var has experienced as much tragedy as Lor-Zod has pain but the legend of Flamebird and Nightwing has always been a story in which tragedy and pain play a central part.

Rucka's writing answers a lot of burning questions like Christopher's recent age spikes, escape from the Phantom Zone and how he'd even met Thara prior to Flamebird and Nightwing's first appearance. The equal time given to both stories which met in the end didn't detract from the over all effect which can sometimes be the case. And the fact that Superman showed up on two pages at most in a nearly wordless appearance wasn't felt as negative at all as the central story was so captivating.

8/10
Rudy T.
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Rudy's Realm: Supergirl #42 (DC Comics)

Before you read this review I recommend you read Supergirl #41 as this issue deals with the ramifications.




General Sam Lane is a man who not only lost a soldier but a daughter as well. Major Lucy Lane had been operating as a spy in Kandor under the mantle of Superwoman and in a battle with Supergirl her suit was compromised which caused her to explode. General Lane is someone who does not handle defeat well and not only plans to kill Supergirl but also intends to make her suffer just as much as he is. His first step in that direction is to free and enlist Reactron, the man who killed Supergirl's father.

But Supergirl is too preoccupied with explaining the situation to Lois Lane, whose reaction isn't just bubbling anger but a reporter's curiosity as well. Lana Lang, Supergirl's roommate and confidant, does her best to comfort the Girl of Steel but receives some grim news of her own.

Gates writing is fluid and engaging, something not seen in a Supergirl title for quite awhile and Jamal Ingle's is a breath of fresh air in its ability to show well defined emotions in each character's facial expressions in the story's quieter moments.

8/10
Rudy T.
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Halo: Uprising HC Tops the New York Times Graphic Books Best-Selling List

Marvel is pleased to announce that the Halo Uprising HC has debuted at number one on the New York Times Graphic Books Best Seller list!


From the Eisner-winning team of writer Brian Bendis and artist Alex Maleev, witness the stunning limited series exploring the important events bridging the blockbuster Halo 2 and Halo 3 video games! As the Master Chief battles to defend Earth from the Covenant, forces of good and evil will be drawn to the mysterious Key. Fans won’t want to miss this red hot hardcover filled with the enthusiasm that makes the Halo series so compelling!

“Bendis and Maleev are at their finest in quieter, ground-level moments … Those who dig the series’ untold tales, though — the kind of stuff seen in 2006’s awesome Halo Graphic Novel — will enjoy this gripping new chapter.” -- Corey Cohen, Official X-Box Magazine, July 2009

"Bendis and Maleev bring you a side of HALO that you haven't seen before: more human than alien, with enough heart and action to satisfy all tastes."—Rene Rosa, UGO.Com

“Halo Uprising has turned out to be a pretty great damn comic… [it] will stand as a really stellar work of fiction in the Halo Universe,” exclaims Benjamin Birdie of ComicBookResources.Com. “Just as gripping as any great summer blockbuster.”

Plus, click over to www.marvel.com/halo and get an in depth look at the Halo Uprising HC and find out how to secure your copy today, along with a chance to check out Halo Uprising #1 for free courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited!

And for more Halo action, check out the new 5-issue limited series Halo: Helljumper, kicking off this July from the fan-favorite creative team of Peter David and Eric Nguyen.

To check out more books on the New York Times Graphic Books Best Seller list click here http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/graphic-books-best-seller-list-june-13/#more-19647.

HALO: UPRISING HC (MAR092489)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by ALEX MALEEV
Cover by ALEX MALEEV
17 & Up …$24.99
ON SALE NOW!

HALO: HELLJUMPER #1 (MAY090414)
Written by PETER DAVID
Art & Cover by ERIC NGUYEN
17 & Up …$3.99
FOC – 7/2, On-Sale – 7/22/09
ON SALE NOW!


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Transformers ROTF Human Alliance Bumblebee with Sam

Bumblebee: Now with Squishy Human Buddy!

The Sam figure isn't squashable like in the movie. The jointed plastic person is one of two nifty characters in the Transformers ROTF Human Alliance Bumblebee with Sam! This larger-than-normal Bumblebee figure has opening doors and, for the first time ever, seats specifically designed for Human Alliance figures. Others are sold separately and will be announced soon, but you can (and should) start your collection here.


Transformers ROTF Human Alliance Bumblebee with Sam
Description:

* Best buddies forever!
* Transforming Bumblebee robot from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie.
* Includes Sam Witwicky Action Figure as the driver.
* Seating for 2 humans inside.
* Bumblebee's battle mask slides into place!

Best buddies forever! From the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie, this detailed pair includes a Sam Witwicky Action Figure and a Bumblebee robot-to-vehicle Transformer that features a flip-out cannon with launching "plasma pulse" and converts to a Camaro concept car in vehicle mode. And Sam interacts with Bumblebee! The Sam figure rides on the robot's arm or shoulder in robot mode, and inside the Camaro in vehicle mode. This is a great item for the older collector and the kid who wants a toy with more moving points and a lot of detail! Ages 5 and up.

Bumblebee: Now with Squishy Human Buddy!


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Reviews from a Noob: Doctor Who- Autopia Review by Lisa L.

Last fall I watched my first episode of Doctor Who. It was "The Christmas Invasion" when London finds itself in the shadow of a Sycorax ship and the recently-regenerated Doctor is powerless to stop them. I had borrowed the complete 2nd series from the library and flew through the episodes in less than a week. I was obsessed. I borrowed Series 3, tore through that one, too, and caught up with Series 4 on CBC. I eventually got my hands on Series 1, plus several vintage Tom Baker episodes, but there was nothing for it. The 10th Doctor was my Doctor. So, of course, I was rather heartbroken to discover my whirlwind affair with David Tennant's quirky Time Lord would end when he left the role in 2010 after a few specials.




This has led me to other outlets for my Doctor Who fix. After ploughing through several audiobooks, a Pendragon's Post colleague fired a couple Doctor Who comics my way. IDW Publishing has put out several series, stand-alones, and even a monthly, that continue the 10th Doctor's travels in time and Space. The most recent offering is Doctor Who: Autopia, a one shot story written by John Ostrander and illustrated by Kelly Yates.

In the story, the Doctor and Donna, his companion from the 4th television series, travel to Autopia, a planet where robots labour away allowing their masters to achieve mental perfection. The citizens of Autopia have shielded themselves from outsiders: when a mission was sent to invite the Autopians to rejoin the universe they were never heard from again. The Doctor and Donna make their way to a building, passing robots at work. Upon arriving at what appears to be a dwelling the Doctor requests to see the master or mistress of the house, resulting in a logic battle with the robot butler. Unable to find answers to the Doctor's questioning, the robot (named Sam by Donna) takes them to the mistress, Ixtalia. Believing her world perfect, she is angered when the Doctor calls it stagnant, and reveals she was the one that had the mission members destroyed. She orders the robot to take the Doctor and Donna away to meet the same fate. Earlier, when the Doctor was arguing with Sam, he had noticed a conflict in the robot, and he now used this conflict to convince Sam to free them. It turns out that the robots of Autopia are on the brink of sentience, and with a few adjustments the Doctor is able to make Sam and all the robots aware. But this has consequences that he hadn't bargained for.

The story is classic Doctor Who, new world, new races with familiar issues. I can definitely hear the Doctor saying the lines, and the illustration catches the familiar nuances of the Doctor's relationship with Donna. While it's not the same as seeing it on TV, it definitely bridges a gap while I wait for the next special.
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